CREED II, starring Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Wood Harris, Russell Hornsby, Florian “Big Nasty” Munteanu, Andre Ward, Phylicia Rashad, Dolph Lundgren, is set for a release date of Wednesday, November 21, 2018. But, did we see the name “ Andre Ward”? From Oakland? Yes, although Ward was born in San Francisco.

In CREED II, Andre Ward plays Danny “The Stuntman” Wheeler in the movie written by Sylvester Stallone and directed by Steven Caple Jr., and yes, Ward has a fight scene. Yep, the man who retired with an undefeated professtional record and ranked as the world’s best active boxer, pound for pound, by The Ring magazine, is back in the ring, again.

Here’s the story of CREED II: Life has become a balancing act for Adonis Creed. Between personal obligations and training for his next big fight, he is up against the challenge of his life. Facing an opponent with ties to his family’s past only intensifies his impending battle in the ring. Rocky Balboa is there by his side through it all and, together, Rocky and Adonis will confront their shared legacy, question what’s worth fighting for, and discover that nothing’s more important than family. Creed II is about going back to basics to rediscover what made you a champion in the first place, and remembering that, no matter where you go, you can’t escape your history.

And the trailer, with the name “Drago”, and the appearance of Stallone friend and Rocky IV Star Dolph Lundgren, that CREED II is a kind of sequel to Rocky IV. Watch:

CREED II also brings back the makers of the Oakland-focused movies Fruitvale Station and MARVEL’s Black Panther in a slightly different role: as executive producers. CREED II is produced by Sylvester Stallone, Kevin King-Templeton, Charles Winkler, William Chartoff, David Winkler, Irwin Winkler, with the Executive Producers listed as Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan, and Guy Riedel.

Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan’s first major movie was Fruitvale Station, about Oscar Grant, and how he came to be killed by BART Police Officer Johannes Mehserle – Coogler was the director and Jordan played Oscar Grant. Then, for MARVEL’s Black Panther, Jordan played Eric Killmonger, directed by Ryan Coogler.

CREED II will be distributed by MGM, Warner Bros. Pictures. Here’s hope we see it at The Grand Lake Theater in Oakland.